How to Cure Depression Naturally With Chinese Medicine

Overview

Traditional Chinese medicine has been used for thousands of years to treat a variety of illnesses and medical conditions, including depression. Chinese medicine techniques such as acupuncture, herbal remedies and other traditional therapies may be blended with modern medical treatments for a variety of mental or emotional disorders including, but not limited to, SAD (seasonal affective disorder), depression, bipolar depression and some compulsions or obsessive behaviors.

Step 1

Consult with a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner or a naturopathic doctor who supports such methods for the treatment of depression. Discuss potential treatments such as acupuncture techniques and therapies from Chinese medicine that have been used to treat depression in the past. Acupuncture has long been effective in the treatment of deficiencies and imbalances. The use of herbs in Chinese medicine has also been successfully used for generations to treat depression, as well as other mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of a person's personal development.

Step 2

Engage in herbal therapy for treatment of depression symptoms, using herbs such as sour dates, mimosa bark and hare's ear root, which can be purchased on the Internet or through Chinese stores in Asian communities around the world. The Chinese have treated depression in various forms with herbs such as white peony root, Dang Gui, gardenia, ginger, licorice and mint, just to name a few. Such herbal remedies are believed to resolve and revers liver qi stagnation, which can lead to depression and anxiety.

Step 3

Ask a traditional Chinese medicine practitioner about dietary therapy for depression. According to the American Academy of Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine, nearly 5 million Americans alone take Prozac, many of whom experience adverse side effects. Deficiencies in the diet such as zinc, vitamins B6 and B12 and vitamin C, among others, can lead to the imbalance of Qi throughout the body and result in depression.

Step 4

Consider acupuncture to treat your depression. The practice of acupuncture includes a belief that the balance of Qi (pronounced chi) is vital for physical as well as mental health. Various energy channels or zones throughout the body encourage the flow of energy or Qi, but if blocked, result in various illnesses. David Yeh, a licensed acupuncturist, believes that acupuncture can restore the body's natural balance and Qi flow to not only relieve stress and depression, but to bring harmony to the body through open and flowing Qi channels.